Tributes have been paid to a 'sweet' teenager who died tragically just before his 17th birthday.

The 16-year-old boy, who was named by police yesterday as Reuben Price, of Borland Avenue, died on Thursday following a single-vehicle collision on Holywell Crescent, in Carlisle.

Last night the shocked community was due to celebrate his birthday, with a call going out on social media for people to gather in public, light a candle and sing Happy Birthday.

The post said: "Let's all get together at 7pm at Botcherby field. Bring a candle and we will celebrate the boy's 17th birthday.

"Please all come and sing the boy Happy Birthday everyone please."

Hundreds of people shared the post.

Crowds gathered at the scene of the collision yesterday and left flowers and messages following the tragedy.

Nestled in the flowers was what would have been his birthday cake.

Family and friends grieved and remembered him.

One member of the community said: "I just can't believe he is gone. He was so nice and loved by everyone."

Police confirmed that the rider died following a single-vehicle collision on Holywell Crescent, in the city.

Another resident said: “He was a lovely lad. He was such a sweet lad.”

Officers remained in the area into the night, with a cordon in place from Holywell Crescent into Borland Avenue.

The public were asked to avoid the area while officers began to conduct their investigations, but dozens of people gathered outside the cordon.

Some people at the scene were crying, while others were visibly shaking in an emotionally-charged atmosphere as the community seemed to be in shock.

A police spokesman said: “At about 4.30pm yesterday (Thursday), officers were responding to a call for service in the Melbourne Park area of Carlisle.

“While on route they subsequently responded to a motorbike that was involved in a single-vehicle collision on Holywell Crescent in the city.

“The rider, a 16-year-old boy from the local area, sadly died at the scene as a result of his injuries.”

Anyone with information relating to the incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit , quoting incident number 134 of December 2.

They can also call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.